Community Update for week of 5/15/2023

May 16, 2023

Update to residents on 5/16/2023

Communication from The Kendal Corporation

The Kendal Corporation put out a Letter and Frequently-Asked-Questions (5-10-23) regarding the Kendal-Crosslands decision to disaffiliate. It is posted on the Admin. bulletin board or you can review it here by using this link: link to KCorp letter.

Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging – “Age Well Study” Webinar

We had more than 60 residents participate in this 5-year Age Well Study. Mather is putting on a webinar on Thursday, May 18 at 12:00-12:30 for professionals to learn more about the results. We have a link for the webinar but are not sure it will be accessible to everyone. If you are interested, try the llink: https://global.gotowebinar.com/join/255761128980670812/199057700

A summary of Kendal at Oberlin’s Results and the full study will be placed in the library.

KORA Council Meeting on Thursday (May 18) at 10 a.m.

Gary Olin will be on hand Thursday as a KaO Board Member scheduled to attend. Joan Villarreal, Chair of the KaO Board, has also agreed to attend for a few minutes to provide an update from the Transition Team that is getting started on the succession plan for the next CEO.

Next “Race Forward” Speaker Series (May 25)

Kendal at Oberlin is a supporting organization of the Lorain County Racial Equity Center. They are sponsoring another opportunity that ties to our own strategic initiative of supporting Diversity-Equity-Inclusion and Belonging. You can reserve your spot on the bus for the next Race Forward Speaker Series: “Champions of Equity.” You can count on an evening of inspiring conversation and celebration as we learn about corporate America’s response to achieving racial equity, and honor Jodie Johnson who is the newly appointed first female and African American principal at Elyria High School. This event falls on the third anniversary of the murder of George Floyd – a time of remembrance and rededication to racial equity and justice. Sign up by the open mailboxes. The Kendal bus will leave at 5:15 pm on Thursday, May 25 to depart for Elyria High School. (You are welcome to bring boxed supper on the bus.) Hope you can join us!

Dining Update

Greg Zehe, Director of Hospitality Services & Assoc. Administrator

• Chef Specials – We are happy to continue to offer these whenever possible and ask for your feedback as these are alternatives, we are considering in our planning for reimagining our menus, venues, and offerings.
• Always available baked potatoes – These are baked until “done” but if you like yours to be cooked more, please let us know. I have it on good authority that 2 minutes in the dining room microwave gets them piping hot and soft enough to enjoy even the full potato skin!
• We had good feedback on our Mother’s Day Buffet and served approximately 260 resident and staff meals. We value our staff who make it a priority to be available so we can make your day extra special.

Housekeeping and Laundry Update

Window cleaning: We had many questions this week on window cleaning. Perhaps this information will help clarify a few things.

• H&B window cleaning was here on campus Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 to complete:
  • the inside and outside window cleaning for the main common areas on campus
  • the outside windows of the 2^nd floor apartments
  • The outside windows of the Stephens Care Center
• They are scheduled to return (weather permitting) June 5through June 13 to complete the window cleaning for all the cottages following the same plan we have used every year. We will send out more information as we get closer to the date. If you have questions, please contact Crystal Hall at cyhall@kao.kendal.org or call 775-9199.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tonight’s Lecture cancelled

“A New Citizenship: Reparations for the Eras of Slavery, Lynchings, and Jim Crow” by Charles Peterson – originally scheduled for today, May 16, at 7:15pm – has been cancelled. Attempts are underway to reschedule.

“A-Z on Bicycling” Lecture

Larry Best, a member of Silver Wheels (Charlotte McGowan’s cycling club), will talk about bicycles, safety, and rules of the road. Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, May 17, at 7:15 pm in the Auditorium. (Shared by Kathy Caldwell on behalf of the Fitness Committee.)

Next Afternoon Exchange

Just a reminder that the next Afternoon Exchange is next week on Thursday, May 25. We will have an update on how the Master Landscape Plan is progressing.

Pools are Open

Effective yesterday, Monday, May 15, 2023, the lap pool, therapy pool, pool area, and locker rooms are open for business. Thank you for your patience and understanding so we can assure our treasured pool gets the necessary maintenance and care.

Important Recycling Update

We can no longer recycle shredded paper. The stapled-shut brown paper bags that we have been using apparently pop open on the sorting floor at Republic, allowing shredded paper to blow everywhere instead of the recycler. We are looking into getting a centrally located commercial shredder, but until further notice all shredded paper goes in the trash. – from The Recycling Subcommittee of the ECC.

If a Visitor is Bringing a Dog

(shared by the Pet Matters Committee):  Kendal welcomes visitors who are accompanied by a well-behaved pet. If you are expecting visitors who might bring a dog, please be sure they know that for the safety of all residents, dogs must always be on a leash in indoor public areas and all outdoor places. Information sheets for visitors with pets are now available at the reception desk. The Pet Matters Committee asks residents to make sure that their visitors who might bring pets receive the information sheet. 

Health News/ Statistics

Governor Mike DeWine’s regular COVID Press Conferences: https://ohiochannel.org

As mentioned last week, we are now only reporting basic COVID statistics for Kendal residents and staff. Please see the chart below. Good news: zero new cases in the last week!